Minister Paradis Welcomes the Aerospace Review Report

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Nov 29, 2012 (Marketwire via COMTEX) --
Today, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, welcomed the report on the Review of Aerospace and Space Programs and Policies. On February 27, 2012, the Harper Government launched an arm's-length comprehensive review, led by the Honourable David L. Emerson with the support of council members Ms. Sandra Pupatello, Mr. Jim Quick and Dr. Jacques Roy.

"I would like to thank Mr. Emerson and the members of the Aerospace Review Advisory Council and the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada for their committed efforts," said Minister Paradis. "Our government is taking steps to ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of the global aerospace industry, and I look forward to thoroughly examining the Review's recommendations."
Canada's highly competitive aerospace and space industries are major contributors to our economy. The Canadian aerospace industry is ranked fifth in the world in overall aerospace production, third in civil aircraft production and is well integrated in global value chains. Canada has a number of aerospace clusters, including Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg. In fact, Montreal is the third-largest aerospace hub in the world. Canada's space sector is a sophisticated research and innovation leader, successfully turning investment in knowledge into a global advantage in several niche areas, including robotics and satellite communications.

"Our government's top priorities remain jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Canada is a world leader in both the aerospace and space sectors, and we are committed to helping the sector grow and add to the nearly 160,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs the industry supports," added the Minister.

For more information on the Review of Aerospace and Space Programs and Policies, please visit the Aerospace Review website (www.aerospacereview.ca).

Backgrounder
Harper Government Support of Canadian Aerospace and Space Industries
The Harper Government has been a strong supporter of Canada's aerospace and space industries, taking measures to ensure that our country remains competitive. Canada has a number of aerospace hubs that are home to renowned original equipment manufacturers and primary suppliers as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) doing highly advanced, skilled work. Canada also has a proud legacy in space by successfully turning investment in knowledge into a global advantage in several niche areas, including robotics, earth observation and satellite communications.

-- Since 2006, the Harper Government has provided $8 billion in new funding
for science, technology and the growth of innovative firms.

-- Through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative, the Harper
Government is supporting Canadian aerospace companies in their quest to
be more innovative and competitive by providing repayable contributions
that help firms develop advanced technologies, attract and retain a
highly skilled workforce, and collaborate with universities and
colleges. To date, the government has committed $827 million to fund 26
advanced research and development (R&D) projects.

-- The Harper Government supported R&D and invested in Canadian innovation
through a $350-million repayable contribution to Bombardier's cutting-
edge CSeries program.

-- With an annual budget of $58 million, the National Research Council
Canada's (NRC) five aerospace laboratories work with researchers in
industry and universities to help develop new technologies. In addition,
the NRC's Industrial Research Assistance Program is specifically focused
on helping SMEs build innovation capacity by offering technical and
managerial advice, funding, and networking opportunities, and provides
about $24 million annually to support aero-related projects.

-- The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
provides grants and supports research chair positions that are widely
used by aerospace and space companies. NSERC projects help ensure that
students have opportunities to work on advanced aerospace projects and
give them early access to potential employers. In 2011-12, NSERC
provided some $20 million in support of aerospace research.

-- The Harper Government is leveraging defence and security procurements
and positioning Canadian industry to take advantage of current and
emerging value chains. The Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) policy
requires prime contractors who have been awarded these contracts to
place economic benefits into Canada equal to 100 percent of the contract
value. Currently, there are over 60 major procurements subject to the
policy, with over $22 billion in IRB activity under way.

-- Specifically in support of the space sector, Economic Action Plan 2012
confirmed that Canada will continue its participation in the
International Space Station mission to 2020, sustaining our leadership
in space research.

-- In addition, Budget 2010 provided $497 million for the RADARSAT
Constellation Mission, and Budget 2009 provided $110 million for space
robotics.

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